STORRS -- In the relatively short period of time since Mike Aresco was named the new Big East commissioner, the longtime television executive's bulldog demeanor and utter belief in the vitality of the conference has not wavered.

Aresco was at Rentschler Field when UConn kicked off the 2012 season with a non-conference game against UMass and met with the media to further express his confidence that the Big East will be a player in the ever-changing landscape of college athletics and in particular college football.

"They are in the national championship picture, no question about it I think the Big East will be a factor," Aresco said. "I think they will compete for the top four slots (when the four-team college playoff system goes into effect)."

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Naturally a popular topic of conversation is the all-important television contract that needs to be negotiated.

As was the case when he was announced at a press conference at the New York Athletic Club earlier this month, Aresco was not about to get in any specifics saying, "I am not making any predictions." However, he expressed optimism that when the contract is signed, it will be a major bonus for the Big East.

Aresco, a graduate of Xavier High and UConn law school, was quick to praise the quality of the Big East as a basketball powerhouse.

"We still have from top to bottom the best basketball conference," Aresco said. "The reception to my appointment I think is reflected in that."

Aresco continues with his sales pitch that his job is to make the Big East strong enough that the revolving door process which resulted in the departure of West Virginia and the soon to be exits of Syracuse and Pittsburgh will be a thing of the past.

"I think they will want to stay," Aresco said. "I think we will work hard to show them that the Big East is a great conference."

RETURN OF A RIVALRY?

There can be no questioning where UConn coach Paul Pasqualoni stands in terms of the promotion of Northeast football. Therefore, it should surprise nobody that Pasqualoni said he would love to see more UMass/UConn games in the future now that both programs will be playing at the highest level of collegiate football.

"You know the people at UMass are going to do it right way," Pasqualoni said. "I just think it strengthens our game. I think it is great for the Northeast in the sense that it should motivate even more kids with another I-A program out there. For those reasons it is a great thing."

The programs met on an annual basis when both were in the Yankee Conference, but Thursday night's meeting was the first since 1999. With UMass upgrading its program, it seems likely that future games with the Huskies will at least be a topic of conversation in the years to come.

"These are things we will talk about as we go," Pasqualoni said. "I just think it makes a lot of sense from the geographic sense for our fans that drive down to Foxborough, they drive here to Rentschler Field, makes it an overall win-win for everybody."